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Hostage's release sparks debate among Pa.'s members of Congress

Captured Soldier Family

Bob Bergdahl, addresses his son U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, during a press conference at Gowen Field on Sunday, June 1, 2014, in Boise, Idaho. Bergdahl, the father of an American soldier just released from captivity in Afghanistan said Sunday that he is proud of how far his son, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, was willing to go to help the Afghan people. (AP Photo/Times-News, Ashley Smith)
(Ashley Smith)

Members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation Monday expressed relief at the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who had been a prisoner of the Taliban in Afghanistan for five years.

However, three Republican members of the U.S. House said they are concerned about the implications of trading five Guantanamo Bay detainees to secure Bergdahl's freedom.

"It is great news that our only known prisoner of the war in Afghanistan, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, has been released," U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, said in a news release. "It is in keeping with our military tradition of leaving no American behind."

But Barletta said he is concerned that it sets a dangerous precedent.

"In exchanging five high-level terrorists for Sgt. Bergdahl, we may have made the practice of abducting American soldiers or citizens abroad a more attractive practice than it was just a few days ago," Baretta said. "While the administration insists that it did not negotiate with terrorists, it is difficult to see how that is the case following a prisoner exchange with the Taliban.

"I also question whether the appropriate Congressional committees were informed in advance as required by federal law. I will follow with great interest as details emerge about the circumstances of Sgt. Bergdahl's capture, his detainment, and the process by which the deal was struck with our enemy."

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R. Williamsport, agreed with Baretta that the exchange could have negative consequences, and said he would like to know the reasoning behind the decision.

"I'm glad Sgt. Bergdahl is receiving medical treatment and that his reintegration is underway," Marino said in a news release. "That said, this prisoner exchange is an unprecedented shift in policy regarding the way we deal with terrorist organizations. As this Administration frequently claims it's the most transparent in history, I think the president and his team ought to explain the legal basis used in this transaction to both Congress and the American people.

"Still, as this story continues to unfold, it's important to remember the many Americans who are still held captive abroad, many of them because of their Christian faith, and to not neglect the long and arduous road we'll have to travel to see each of them returns home safely."

More than three days after the deal was struck, the White House Administration has yet to release the details of this exchange. U.S. Rep Scott Perry, R-York County, said he was glad hearings are planned to investigate this episode.

"The White House still has yet to brief House leaders on the details and potential consequences of this prisoner exchange," Perry said. "I'm glad the House Armed Services Committee has announced hearings to investigate whether trading Sgt. Bergdahl for five senior Taliban leaders from Guantanamo Bay may put our troops, diplomatic personnel and Americans abroad at greater risk; and whether the President violated the law by not notifying Congress prior to the exchange."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., is an original sponsor of the bipartisan No Man Left Behind resolution, Casey spokeswoman April Mellody said. This resolution urges the administration to undertake all reasonable measures to find and repatriate any missing or captured member of the Armed Forces. Mellody said Casey's thoughts and prayers are with Bergdahl and his family during this time.

"The United States never stopped looking for Sgt. Bergdahl," Mellody said. "Efforts from multiple U.S. agencies led to the release of Sgt. Bergdahl. His recovery fulfills our sacred obligation to members of the Armed Forces to bring our men and women in uniform home. He will closely monitor this moving forward to ensure that every effort is taken to protect our national security interests."

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R- Allentown, and U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R- Chester County, could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts.

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